So that was Christmas …...

 Is it because we are getting old and remember that we have had lots of Christmas Days that they hold less excitement? Is it because that for the last twelve years we have spent 8 and possibly 9 outside the UK?  Is it because we chose to do that we miss family em masse? Is out because three years ago we lost a much loved sister / sister-in-law at that time?  Perhaps the best of Christmas times are when we are all together?

Christmas morning beach walk. No swimmers

Despite this introduction Christmas 2013 was a nice time made by having daughter Emily here with us.  Commencing with a few drinks in the pub and and Indian meal on Christmas Eve we awoke to beautiful sunshine which unfortunately soon disappeared with a a mix of cloud and sun.

Present time is always a good time and its nice to see Emily still excited by a few few silly gifts in a Christmas stocking.  A tradition started by Lillian when Emily still believed in Santa and maintained every year.  The highlight for me was the gift from Emily of an Ipswich Town football shirt signed by all of the players.  The story of how she got it is one of initiative and endeavour and amazes me she has the front to go directly to players to ask for it via Twitter!  She even had to drive to Ipswich to collect, two hours each way. In this case I am grateful that her persistence has paid off.  The big question now is to wear it or have it framed.   I am undecided.

A quick hello and one drink in the pub to say Happy Christmas to the regulars who had gathered.  Five had been brave enough to go for an early morning swim as threatened the night before.  One only made it up to his was it much to angst of the others.  There was full agreement that it was 'freezing'.  They had been and gone by the time got to the beach to watch!  Then on to Lord Kitchener restaurant for lunch.  I have written before about visits to this restaurant and as ever the food was excellent, washed down by some 'sparkling bubbly'.  The restaurant was full, lively with a nice atmosphere and after three hours we were fully stuffed.  Well at least I was.  Back home it was time for the traditional Xmas day snooze but we all brightened up to play a game of Trivial Pursuit sent by son Andrew.  Is it the drink or have the questions got harder in the new set?  We were not very successful as individuals and after almost two hours settled for an admirable draw.  I claim the draw even though Lillian was almost the outright winner!  An evening film and that was it.

Christmas was a nice day …… but not exciting.

Unfortunately Boxing day was a right off for me.  Feeling must unwell with a stomach upset which must have been down to a bug or something I ate.  Cant think it was the latter.  So the day was spent mostly in bed although listening to Ipswich win 3-0 away to Doncaster via the internet very much brightened the day.  Lillian had prepared her Christmas meal for the evening when we were joined by Emily's friend Laura, who visited in the summer.  She has come for a few days as is without family to spend time with.  I missed the meal returning to bed.

Still don't feel great but I am 7 pounds lighter than on Christmas night which can't be a bad thing!

Happy Christmas

Larnaca Christmas tree

A very 

Happy Christmas 

to all friends and family.

Have fun. :)

Trip to the North!

It is always good to spend times with friends.  People you have known for sometime, have shared some special moments with and you feel easy in their company.  So a two night trip to Geoff and Hazel Turner's home in Northern Cyprus is always a good time to have.

The journey from our home to the border crossing at Lefkosia (Nicosia) takes about 45 minutes and then another 35 minutes on to Girne (Kyrenia).  There we stopped for a wander around the shops looking at 'copy' Prada handbags trying to search one for Emily.  This is not Dubai and whilst the copies were good so was the price!  We will need to go again next week when Emily is here and she can chose to splash the cash if that is what she really wants.  I do like Girne.  The harbour is lovely and in the warm winter sunshine many were sitting having lunch.  The streets are narrow and with the town backed by the mountains it has a different feel to the south.  There is also the fun of converting prices from Turkish Lira into euro / gb sterling.    This is where the XE app on an iPhone comes in useful.

Friday night was party time with about 24 guests, all from the Korineum Golf Club descended upon Geoff's for drinks and splendid eats with goulash and fish pie.  Its always good to meet new people, all of which seem to play golf -5 times a week every week.   If only we had a douse near by in the south.  It certainly is a vehicle for meeting new people.  The last guests left at 0230 yet it was still up fairly early for beach walking.  As Geoff and Hazel live halfway up the hillside there is a need to go by car for the start of any walk there.  However it was a splendid circular walk along a secluded and empty Turtle Bay.  Geoff told stories of them helping conservationists at the hatching time and how the turtle nests are protected.

Back home it was breakfast on the patio with the most fantastic view across the water to the mainland of Turkey.  Saturday afternoon / evening football watching, a draw at home for Ipswich and a relatively late night watching the 'Strictly' final!  Sunday morning pairs golf with 8 couples, all of whom had been at the party playing.  Lillian and I faired badly, we just don't play enough, on what is a difficult course where any hit that is not straight is severely punished.  The bushes collected three of my balls.  However the weather and views of the very blue sea were lovely.  After drinks on the patio of the golf club we all shared lunch together ago a small restaurant right on the edge of the sea.  A good end to a lovely weekend. 

Whilst the sun shines down below

Up in the mountains the ski slopes open today for the new season.  The only access is to cars which are either 4x4 or have snow chains so it will be a while before we can go and play snowballs!  Each year we have made the trip to the top of Troodos and each year Lillian has been anxious to 'have a go'.  Perhaps with Emily here we will do just that?

The picture has been taken from the webcam on the ski run for 1030 this morning.

Down below the sun shines - another lovely day.

The most beautiful day

Today is the most beautiful of sunny days.  Whilst the general air temperature has shown a high of 66F leaving a thermometer on a seat on the patio has given a temperature of 78F.  Its been 'back to shorts' and a number of outside jobs.  There is always leave to collect and bouganvillea to trim.  Some of it is looking quite sad after the cold spell.  A longer task, being taken a bit at a time is the rubbing down and painting of the bedroom balcony railings which until the work has started was showing signs of dreaded rust.  One more session to complete the work and all will be revealed.  The hot tub has been treated with chemicals so that all is well for Emily's arrival who is sure to want to test.  We haven't been in it ourselves for a couple of weeks, but when its there all the time?

Lillian continues with table decorations and the picture today shows her efforts this afternoon.  I'm afraid the picture does not really do it justice as the cones have been sprayed with a glittery gold which catches nicely in the sun  as it shines in through the patio doors.

Last night was the clearest of full moons, explains why the tide was so far out when we walked the beach yesterday.

Lows to Highs

Snow in the mountains

Well winter certainly came with a bang, such cold winds and snow on the mountains and villages cut off on the Troodos.  For three days the weather in the Uk was warmer than here and it was fortunate that the heating warmed up the lounge and bedroom and made every where quite cozy.  But as ever here out comes the sun and dries up all of the rain and once again we are back to blue clear skies with hardly a cloud to be seen.  The forecast is more of the same through to the Xmas holidays. It is sure that the rain and colder spell will return but as we won't be here for January and February we do not worry too much.

Thursday last we got up to go to Bowls but then decided it was much too cold and so took a drive to Lefkosia visiting IKEA to stock up with candles and other bits and bobs for the Xmas.  The Mall of Cyprus was quiet but we wandered around the shops looking for Xmas presents for each other but gave up with a truce for  a nil return on presents this year and promise of treats when we go to South Africa in the new year.  The weather was much better on Saturday although cold in the shade and we did manage a game and once again Lillian and I were winners in both matches.  Our play is improving.

60s theme night

After a Saturday afternoon at the pub where they were showing Ipswich live v Notts Forest it was party time as a member of the Bowls Club was celebrating her 50th Birthday at a restaurant called Classic Cars.  The theme of the evening was 60s / 70s and many attendees went to town in fancy dress of the period.  Dressing up for parties is not something that Lillian and I really get into and so we were pleased that the invitation said fancy dress was 'optional'.  However we enjoyed the music and evening danced some of the night away.  Judging by my headache on Sunday morning it had been a good night out!


Bowls again this morning with once again two wins - doing something right.  With the sunshining and
afternoon walk to Faros and along the beach.  Never have we seen the tide out so far with the sea as flat as a mill pond.  The air was clear and you could see a long way.  The windmills of Terasafanou moving very slowly.

Lillian continues to do a stirling job with Xmas decorations and a wreath she made in Fulham colours and logo hangs in pride place in the Cottage Pub.

What's gone wrong?

Its freezing today - well about 5C and has spent most of the day raining.   My post saying that winter had come and overnight lows of 7C …… wish we had even that.  Its heating on …… but being underfloor is taking a while to warm up.

Therefore very much a day at home playing on the computer sorting photographs and making notes to remind in the future of what and where they exactly where.  Lillian once again has been busy making a Xmas wreath.  This time cones in black and white around a Fulham Logo ….. for the pub!

The picture today is really the sun trying hard to shine at approximately 1345 this afternoon!  

Rain stops play ….

There I am busily cutting back the bouganvillea for the winter, giving it a real good 'haircut', when it starts to rain and quite hard!  It was blue skies and sunshine only an hour ago.

The weather has been lovely with daily temps around the 18C / 64F but is decidedly cooler later in the day.  My Max / Min thermometer shows overnight lows of 7C.  Winter in Cyprus is on its way.

Wandered into the village last night for Quiz Night at the pub but it was so poorly attended it didn't run.  A shame for Nat, the landlady, who tries hard and is a good quizmaster, so instead we sit at the bar chatting.

The rain is of no immediate concern to Lillian who continues to busy herself with Xmas decorations, making and writing cards.  Most be posted in the next couple of days or it will be too late for UK delivery.  I think she is going into mass production and as well as wreath is now making Christmas trees from pine cones.

After the days away

It's back into the routine of pottering about in the garden, some shopping and generally being lazy whilst Lillian busies herself with Christmas creations using cones, twigs, bark and other bits she collected as we travelled through Akamas Park.  I am not sure how she is so patient with fiddly bits and pieces but some of her efforts are really looking quite nice.

Saturday morning and back to Bowls.  Two games and two wins for me, a rather unusual outcome although apart from the usual rubbish when we started off in the first game I gradually got better. To receive praise at the end of the second game from 'Super Bob', who was recently crowned club champion, was praise indeed.

Troodos Mountains with
Pervolia village in the foreground

Usual Saturday afternoon at the pub was time enjoyed with some very funny banter with the couple of Manchester Utd supporters who were suffering their second consecutive home defeat.  For me it was all smiles as Ipswich secure a late win, their third in a row.  A meal at Friends Restaurant was a good way to finish the evening although we were the only ones in there!  Times are hard for those who depend on summer trade for a living and have little in the winter months.

Sunday morning and our late start with the Sunday Times via the iPad subscription and a brisk walk to faros lighthouse and along the beach,  We were the only ones to be seen, which was surprising as the skies were blue, the sun shining although a strong breeze.

4 day getaway break

Panoramic view from room balcony

Just back from 4 nights at the Aphrodite Hills Inter Continental hotel and golf resort.  Without doubt a bargain break booked via UK company Golf Breaks.com.  It was far better to book on-line than directly with the hotel.  To be recommended.  The hotel was a typical Inter Con with number of bars and restaurants, not all of which were open but hey it is early December.  Many of the fellow guests were German or Austrian.  An excellent very comfortable room looking out onto the pool, which was not heated.  There was an indoor pool which we went to see, promising to go later in the trip but never happened.

Don't hit it left on this hole

Over the gorge to the green

Two rounds of golf came with the package.  A good job as the normal green fee would have been €101 each to play.  A very good course which is set on a plateau with the stunning backdrop of the Troodos Mountains on one side and magnificent sea views on the other.  It was a very good job that we had buggy carts as some of the distances from green to the next tee were up to 950m and then up and down tight windy cart tracks.  We enjoyed playing very much and each time were paired with a couple from Vienna.  It is always good to play with somebody else but in both cases their english was not great and our german non existing.  But it was fun.  Our play was OK too until we got to the greens which were the quickest and most slopping we had played on for some years.  It made it impossible to score well when you are three and four putting.  It was not just me and Lillian but our partners too.  A couple of holes were very pretty with one hitting over a large gorge.

We had a half board deal with the hotel so with huge buffet breakfasts and a choice of three or four dishes from a set menu in the evening meant we certainly didn't go hungry.  Spent one pleasant evening with a guy who was on a short break from the UK.  Lived in Mill Hill not far from Harrow.

With one day free from golf we drove to areas of the island that  had not been visited previously.  

Polis Beach

The village of Polis on the west coast was a pleasant stop where we walked through the village to the beach.  A quick look at the Baths of Aphrodite - another pile of stones of which there are plenty in Cyprus. We drove back through the Akamas National park, a long drive through the forest back to the hotel. The road on the map looked fine but it was no more than a dirt track with some very steep bends with sheer drops on one side.  Stops were made for Lillian to collect fresh cones from fir trees for Xmas decorations.  She is becoming very skilled at making them each year - pictures to follow.

Walking

Beautiful, bright and breezy morning so up early for a walk to the lighthouse and beach.  The wind is strong and quite blowy enough to wear a sweat top although the sun is a warm 72F.

One man and his two dogs and one lady sitting reading a book on the beach in a sheltered spot are the only people we see although we are out for 90 minutes.

Lillian, who is watching her BMI nearly kills herself running up and down the beach steps.  I stroll having decided a couple of days ago not to worry about my weight.  Back home Lillian sets about making Christmas decorations spraying and gluing together fir cones that we have collected over a period of time out walking.  She has great patience and already a wreath is made for the door.

Its starting to look like Xmas

Last Xmas Lillian bought a traditional pointsettia plant.  It was full of red leaves and looked lovely.  When it was time to leave Cyprus to return to the UK for our holiday in January knowing that the plant would be dead if left in the house I planted it in the garden.

On return to Cyprus the leaves had dropped and the plant looked dead.   However after time a few leaves started to sprout and the plant grew.  It is now two feet high and look ….. the leaves are turning red!

Xmas is coming to Cyprus.  St. Lazarus church in Larnaca already has it's large tree outside and Xmas lights are strung across the roads.  Even in Pervolia large Father Christmas models, some 6-8 feet high has started to appear on street corners.   But by a month today it will all be over!

Fitness

Sunset last night

When I was at college, a long time ago, we were asked to write an essay against the following statement.  "The only exercise I get is to walk in the funeral procession of my younger fit friends", said the old man.  I can't remember the grade I got when the essay was returned marked but I do remember the debate when I sat with beer in hand in the college bar with my fellow PE students.  I argued that fitness was specific, meaning that you need to be fit for the life that you wish to lead or task that you wish to carry out.  And so some 42 years on how fit am I and how fit do I need to be?

When I measure my BMI (Body Mass Index), a measure for human body shape based on an individual's mass and height, I currently measure 0.4 into the overweight category  0.5 of a reading less which equates to 4lb and I would classify as normal weight.  I am certainly the heaviest I have ever been in my life and wear the largest size trousers ever 36".  Not really a lot to worry about or is there?

Each 6 months a stress echo at the Royal Free Hospital brings comments from the technicians and doctors. I push myself as much as possible.My heart rate goes to 160 bpm. "You did really well" they say despite feeling I am going to pass out as the incline on the treadmill gets steeper and the walkway faster. I gasp for breath and am continually disappointed by what I feel is a slow recovery rate yet the doctors seem pleased.

Why all of this?  We have just been for an hour bike ride, up the hill to Faros lighthouse, along the cliff tops which drop right to the waters edge, commenting on the waves which are quite strong and home across the fields which is a fairly flat ride.  My thighs felt as if we had not ridden for some time but my lungs felt fine.  On Sunday we walked for about an hour and thirty minutes, Lillian keeping a brisk pace, even along the stony beach.  I felt out of breath at times keeping up with her and I was quite tired on our return.  So is fitness specific?  Probably I am as fit as I need to be for the life I lead.  I guess we all could be fitter but I accepted a long time ago I was never going to play one more game of football even though I would love to do so.  So I am happy that I don't need to be as fit as I was when 28 and as long as I can ride a bike and walk I'm doing OK.

The weather has been good the last week or so.  It still reaches 22/24C each day in the garden despite at times becoming cloudy.  The temperatures certainly drop once the sun has set and there is a need for a sweater whilst sitting at night watching TV but all is really very nice for the end of November.  There has been some great sunsets.  Red sky at night shepherds delight so the saying goes.  Well its working so far here.

Busy doing nothing

Hibiscus to the fore with bouganvillea still flowering.

After an enjoyable week with friends Derick and Jane and then a week away we have been working at 'Busy doing nothing very much'.

Unfortunately I picked up a cold from the trip to Riyadh which must have been from the air con and travel in general.  Not something that has happened to me much despite all of the travel that I have done over the years but when it does you can be sure I have shared it with everyone that gets too near.  Consequently as Lillian is the closest guess what ….. she too has a cold!

So a weekend lazing apart from a trip to the pub to watch England v New Zealand rugby.  I was sorely tempted to send SMS messages to all of our Kiwi friends when England went into the lead int he second half/  It was good job I didn't as true to form NZ whopped England in the last 20 minutes to be convincing winners.  It has not been a good week for England sport with two defeats for the soccer team and having risen at 0430 this morning to watch Ashes cricket I wish I hadn't sat through England being bowled out for 136!

Monday was bowls.  It seems a long time since I had played.  I was to be disappointed that nobody mentioned the fact that i had a new bowls bag, but why should they?  I certainly wouldn't have noticed anyone else's.  As usual two games, the first of which was interrupted by a sharp shower of rain for 5 minutes.  Whilst it has not been the first fall it has been the first that we have actually seen.  Everyone huddled under shelters and moaned …… goodness it was still 75F!  Lillian and I did not play on the same mats for any of the two games but I think for the first time we were both winners for both matches!

The garden continues to take time picking leaves and general trimming, a morning spent trimming the ficus hedge so that it keeps its 'flat top'.  The hibiscus are doing really well and we have never had some many flowers all at once.  There was a time in the summer we though they were in a drastic collapse as leaves were turning yellow and dropping daily but now they look a picture.

A week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Arrival on the first day at the school

I thought you have retired people are saying?  Well from being committed to working everyday I certainly have but when people ask about a short assignment why not?

So it was off to Riyadh last week for an assignment with a contractor from Vancouver, Canada.  I have known Doug for sometime who has his own education company so when he asked I could hardly refuse.  The task was to evaluate against international benchmarks, a private school which targeted local Saudi students.  It was owned and operated by a one of the richest mean in the Kingdom outside the Royal family.  How did it compare?  It didn't and was providing a fairly unacceptable education for a number of reasons which should not be disclosed here.

Some pad!

Saudi Arabia apart from having lots of desert and of course oil is fairly similar to the arab countries of Kuwait and Qatar both of which I have worked in.  The rights of the workers who come from out of country are minimal.  They are poorly paid, restricted in what they do and where they go.  They are unable to move to another job in country to better themselves as the sponsor / employee has power over the visa.  The ex-pat teachers, who were from Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran etc were quick to use a visit as a time to complain bitterly about their pay and conditions. It will be in the report, which is one of the longest that I have written on an evaluation.  The school spends more on mobile phones than teacher training!

Chris and Doug relaxing

Flights were via Amman in Jordan to Riyadh on the way out and via Beirut, Lebanon on the way back where I waited five hours for the connection to Larnaca.  It was a good time to catch sit and write the report with a beer in hand with no opportunity in the Kingdom with alcohol banned.  Hotel was an OK business hotel, new built with a typical arabic style although staffed by ex-pats except for management and front desk.  Therefore it was interesting to watch in the lounges, which were quite busy Saudis having to speak english to order coffee. drinks etc rather than arabic.

Highlights of the week?  A meal / meeting with some potential Saudi investors who are thinking they want to build a school. Picked us up from the hotel in a Series 7 BMW …. love being driven in these cars and say we are going to an indian restaurant. Surprised at the choice and when we enter are informed that its fully booked!  Can't believe they hadn't got somebody to do that for them!!! So we end up in a Lebanese restaurant.  Love the food and the people.  Our debrief took place at the owners house.  This is the 6th richest man in the Kingdom.  This was not a house but a palace.  The picture here was the fountain taken as we left, the arch being the gate out.

Kingdom Tower

I couldn't take pictures in the house out of politeness so you will have to imagine a dining room that sat 32 on circular tables.  There were 6 when we sat down to eat.  I managed to count 10 four seater sofas in various places for 'discussion' with wonderful artefacts and pictures every where.

The last afternoon was one of relaxation and a trip to Mishkat a project in Riyadh for young people to understand that as a country they need to think beyond oil as their only source of power.  I hands on, exploratory learning display that if it could be taken outside the Kingdom it would be a great success.  Very impressed.  The project was 'owned' by a Board member of the school and at the moment although it must have cost millions $ to set up is only open to school parties who are not charged for entry.  There is a need to educate the young!

A week with friends

A little behind with updating the 'blog' due to being busy and once again travelling (more on this later).

Since the last update we welcomed our last visitors of 2013 save daughter Emily coming for Xmas.  Derick and Jane Fulcher made their first visit to us although not their first visit to Cyprus which they say they visited some 8 years ago.  We have known Derick and Jan for some 25 years having first met on a skiing trip when we worked as couriers and they were clients.  As we reminisced our first meetings and their children Sophie and Sam whizzing down the slopes it only seemed a short time ago. Sophie and Sam are both married with children of their own now!

When not sitting chatting during which there was much laughing and joking we spent the week being hospitable with the normal visitor 'things to do'.  Walks along the beach and eating in the village are pretty much the norm and with the sun shining time strolling along the shore line was a great way to relax together.  A trip to Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus for lunch was a good way to see some of the island during the drive and a lovely place to visit.  An evening stroll along the promenade of Larnaca gave an idea of our town, although so very quieter than the summer months with bars and restaurants virtually empty.

A game of golf at Elea golf club was much enjoyed.  So much so we have persuaded them to join us on our annual trip to Turkey - next May 2014.

Of course there was the traditional stone laying ceremony.  A truly joint effort with both Derick and Jane contributing to the completion. D&J have a place in Cadiz in Spain hence the two maps of the respective countries.  The dotted line from Lillian to Chris represents the suggestion that we should go there next year.  That we will do at some stage - we have promised to accept the offer.  

Quick trip back to the UK

A week back in the UK where the weather except for a huge storm that blew across Southern England was surprisingly good.  It is always good to see family and friends and we managed to catch up with a number.  A visit to Clacton to see parents, night out with the children, time for Lillian to do some shopping with Emily and for me a couple of trips into London for a visa to Saudi Arabia.  Yes its back to work but only for a week to help a former colleague out on a consultancy project.  Three trips to the doctors for more tablets, blood tests and and general consultations.  All is good.

Back here the garden had done well and was in good shape, with pots surviving a week without TLC and good to see the sun still shining.

We have friends here this week - last visitors of the year.  Good time which will be elaborated on in the future however today is a day to remember

FIRST RAIN OF THE YEAR!  And quite a lot too!

Departing friends

So ....... home alone once again until the next visitors, the last of the year at the beginning of November.

The Plastows were 'chucked out' at Departures at the airport this morning and we waved as the British Airways flight   passed virtually over our garden some twenty five minutes late.  Don't know if they could see us or not but they were sitting on the right side of the plane with window seats.  Actually they were on the left of the plane but I'm sure you know what I mean.  We had all enjoyed their stay which allowed them to 'chill' after busy work schedules although looking at the UK weather it might be that they will chill at home also.  The weather could not have been better for them over the last seven days and once again today there are clear blue skies.

After the traditional fun with the stone laying ceremony and drinks on the patio as the sun set it was a walk into the village for a meal at Pyrgos and then into the pub to watch the England v Poland World Cup football match.  There was a good atmosphere with a solid 'round of applause' from most of the throng when the final whistle blew.

Today is the usual cleaning and clearing after visitors and Lillian in her normal efficiency had the washing machine going within the hour of returning home from the airport.  However a walk beckons later this afternoon as we move to 'remove' the extra pounds from a week of too much eating and drinking.  Its tough go being sociable.

Think of the best of UK summer days.  Blue skies, without a cloud, warm at 82F / 28C and at times a gentle breeze.  This exactly describes the weather here this week.

Pissouri Village

For visitors Chris and Nick its idyllic and just what they wanted.  Warm enough to sit out all day but not too hot to roast.  As ever with visitors a couple of days out.  One to Pissouri Bay, between Limassol and Paphos.  A lovely bay with sandy beach, good for swimming and sun lounging.  For Chris and Nick that is what they did but for Lillian and me it was a stroll to the very end of the bay to sit on a rock jutting out in the sea with legs dangling over the edge.  A good way to spend and hour.  Lunch at a beach side tavern and more walking and sitting.  Chris and Nick on the beach but for Lillian and I a seat in the shade where we passed the time with me testing her on 'greek verbs'.  Lillian continues to be modest in her capabilities of learning to speak greek but she impresses me every time she speaks, which is more and more now in shops and restaurants.

After time on the beach it was up to the main village and a stroll around the streets of Pissouri before more eating and drinking.  Food was typical of all village tavernas, although I enjoyed my pork chop, my staple diet! Late home as its a 90 minute drive but an enjoyable day.

With the weather warm and friends wanting to make the most of the sunshine yesterday afternoon was spent on our own beach at Faros.  The last open vendor for sun loungers needed the custom and only four beds were taken which was the complete reverse the day before at Pissouri where it was quite busy.

Lillian, Nick and Chris all braved the sea without too many grimaces whilst I played with the camera trying to take numerous pictures on different settings.  This sounds fine in theory but of course by the time you come to look at them you cant remember which setting was which.  I need to continue to experiment but with a notepad next time.

As the shadows grew so the beach became empty and even the vendor had left by the time we climbed the steps to the cliff top and the car park.

Stopped at the Artcafe restaurant, under the Faros lighthouse for a beer and chat before heading home.  New pergolas have been added with glass screens to protect from the winds and this really is becoming a good venue for sundowners.  The picture at the side gives some idea of the red sky.

Home for more drinks on the patio and a Sunday roast courtesy of Lillian.

Stop that pigeon

Ok.  Had enough of pigeons basking in the sunshine on our solar panel and leaving their mess to fall onto the hot tub.  This should do it ..... courtesy of Barry the pigeon man.  It was not free gratis.... charged more than expected but he was on the roof for 7 hours!  Sods law we have not even seen a pigeon in the sky for the last two days let alone on our roof.  However they will be around again we are sure and then we will see if the neighbours are covered and we are clear.

Friends Chris and Nick from Harrow arrived at 0530 this morning.  So glad that British Airways are changing their flight schedule next week to more reasonable times.  The forecast for the next seven days is great with daily temps all listed at 28-29C so hope they will have the relaxing time they say they need.  Hard go working at the best of times with two weeks holiday a year but Chris works shifts which must be the same as me getting caught up with jet lag going from one time zone to another.  Chris has a huge suitcase.  When asked what she had in it a one word reply.  BOOKS. Hope they have a good time.

All smiles at the start of the game!

It rained during Saturday night - not that we saw it only the resultant puddles on the road on Sunday morning.  The first since April if memory serves right.

Some events since last posting.

A trip to Kyrenia in the north for a night stay and a game of golf with Geoff and Hazel at their club.  First game for Lillian and i since June and it showed, well in my game with 7 lost balls on the very tight course meant a poor score.  But it was all fun except for some of the hills.  Having elected to walk instead of a  buggy cart was a brave decision with us gasping for breath on more than one occasion.

Each year the village of Pervolia has a Charity week.  Events are created at may of the restaurants and bars in the village to raise funds to help those less fortunate in the area.  It is a sign of the times when supermarkets have large perspex containers past the check-outs where shoppers can donate foodstuff that they have just bought.  So on Friday night it was a 'Dutch Auction' of various gifts given by regulars that would make attractive 'parcels' of prizes to bid for.  We had nothing that we could think would be useful so after a meal in Pyrgos determined to be charitable and make some good donations we joined the fun, helped by more than a few beers.  If you have not been to a Dutch Auction there are a number of methods but this was designed to raise the maximum amount of cash in the shortest time.  Hosted by Nat, the landlady of the The Cottage, who did a fantastic job, she first selected a number of gifts that had been donated to make an attractive package.  Bidding started at anything from 10 cents to 5 Euros depending on the prize. So whoever bid say 10 cents placed the 10 cents in the bucket, the next bidder who perhaps raised the stake to 20 cents put 20 cents in the bucket and so on.  It was easy to get carried away and soon place a lot of cash into the bucket.  Everyone was in good spirits and it was all a lot of fun with over 2000 Euros being raised by the end of the evening.  We had contributed well and come home with some 'junk' and a voucher for a meal at Pyrgos!  We will enjoy it as we spent enough to go there 5 times!  Still a good cause.

Late Saturday afternoon saw a special bowls event when people from the town of Kiti were invited to try bowls for the first time.  About 20 turned up, many not speaking English so Lillian was a star with her greek. After a couple of hours of fun, which seemed to be enjoyed by all it was locals time to entertain with three games of bingo (numbers called in greek as well as English) and kebabs and pitta from the BBQ all held in the meeting hall.  It was a good event.

Sunday ...... with the pool temperature reading only 20C it was probably the last swim of the year. Managed 6 lengths before saying enough ...... believe me the hot tub felt roasting afterwards.

Bowls Club

So much for saying bowls has improved ........... after four wins on the trot normal service resumed this morning with two defeats this morning although it was not all down to me.  Two very close games both decided on the last end of 11.

Strong winds today.  My little app on the iPad shows 30mph and although I have no way of confirming it certainly matches the beaufort scale description of whole trees sway and the awning staying firmly in.  Waste of time doing any tidying in the garden as it would be an never ending job trying to clear leaves when the wind is so strong.  28C / 83F though is still very pleasant to sit on the patio despite the wind.  Have had to rescue the garden furniture twice.

We have new neighbours.  A Chinese family moved into House number 2 yesterday.  They stayed the night but today seem to have gone again.  Perhaps they are just out exploring the surrounds?

Its getting colder

September moves into October and whilst life continues in much the same way with routine days of pottering interspersed with 'special' events so the weather changes too.  The clear blue skies and hot sun of summer are now not guaranteed with the first clouds of the approaching cooler period becoming more regular.  In fact there has been rain ...... not here in Perivolia  but in the surrounding districts causing flash flooding in dry river beds and subsequent mud and rocks washed across the roads.

The cooler days, temperatures are now in the upper 70F to low 80s F are coupled with certainly cooler nights.  Great that we no longer have the air conditioning blowing at bed time but the cooler nights have certainly lowered the temperatures of the pool.  We are still swimming but for how much longer ...... a week or so at the most I think.  Another downside to the cooler temps is the return of the mosquitos which buzz around in the evenings entering via open windows.  The bites are fierce and both Lillian and I compare both numbers and severity with very much 'my bites are itchier than your bites' tone.

Village of Kalavasos

Since the last blog I've had yet another birthday.  Pleased to still be having them and if it was not for the skill of surgeons in Dubai I might not.  Everyday is but a bonus which I try to remind myself and time should not be totally wasted.  However I'm thinking of counting backwards now with birthdays.  62 - where did the last 20 years go?  The strategy of taking a year off will fit with Lillian's view that I am regressing as I get older.  We actually had a very nice day.  Pottered about in the garden, beach walk and then a trip into the Troodos mountains to stay at the Library Hotel in the small village of Kalavasos.  The meal was good, but not good enough to go there just to eat in the future, but we had a very nice room and it was nice to be able to sit with a brandy and coffee post meal in a nice lounge not worrying about driving back home.  In the morning we walked the village and then drove for a couple of hours on a fairly long route home taking in the views.  There really are some pretty little traditional villages here.  It was on this drive that we saw the effects of the rain and flooding mentioned above. and allowed us to collect a few coloured rocks for the garden

Rocks from the Troodos, washed down by rains

A 70th birthday celebration for friend Val, who has greek lessons with Lillian was a nice afternoon / early evening event.  Sitting under a beautiful grapevine, beer in hand, drinking and chatting with 'new' acquaintances whilst Val's husband john slaved away at the BBQ is a very pleasant way to spend time. I am still resisting the long ago stated promises that 'sometime' I will BBQ.

Red sky at night

Trips to bowls have now become a 2 / 3 times a week occurrence.  Despite my protestations that i am useless the last couple of sessions have no been so bad.  Trying to develop a new technique by bowling off the other foot which seems to be helping and I have now been on the winning side for four games in a row .... this is a record.  So the bowls improves slightly and the golf takes a massive step back.  Having last played in June, we ventured to the north of the island to stay with friends Geoff and Hazel and play on their course in Kyrenia.  They play 4 times a week now as their club is only four minutes from their home.  In all the years Ive played golf with Geoff I don't think he has ever beaten me until this most recent game .......... soundly thrashed.  The course is very hilly and at times I wished I had an oxygen cylinder in the bag .... it felt heavy enough to have had one!

Wind damage

The blustery day just got stronger with winds speeds showing at 45mph on my weather app!  As a consequence today was spent repairing wind damage to the garden.  A large branch had snapped from the cottonwood hibiscus tree which need to be cut and dragged to a suitable dumping ground and bamboo poles have been added to oleander.  Not used to so much physical effort in one morning.

Its great just being able to wander across the fields to cut your own bamboo.  Long, thick and straight.

All looks to be restored but worriyngly the wind continues to blow in strong gusts.  See what tomorrow brings!

"Poo Bear and the Blustery Day" describes this morning's weather so no bike riding but a 90 minute walk, through the village and along the beach and home. 

Some pictures that were taken along the way:

Pervolia village	Pervolia village church
Pervolia Community Building	Football Stadium
Okra fields	Jogging!